... Busted [Rhaedalyn]

It was only years of dedication and a general inability to be surprised by those that were around him that saved Z'ia from gawking at Rhaedalyn in surprise when she mumbled her question, the tiny bluerider pausing for a moment as internal gears spun at top speed. He had expected a lot of responses - mostly something in line with what he had gotten from D'hys; a sound scolding and then a laugh - but he hadn't expected the blank stupidity of the girl's ignorance. How thick was the little golden whore? Did he have to spell out everything for her? Perhaps her curls were too heavy and were blocking her ears - though they certainly weren't blocking her eyes. Idiot.

"Um," Z'ia opted to go with playing his own version of dumb-but-adorable and fidgeted slightly, refusing to meet the girl's eyes. Instead he stared in the vague direction of her toes. "Welll, you see..." Z'ia continued fidgeting, his voice near as meek as his dragon - who was still trembling, and doing his best to hide behind Z'ia. "It's complicated?" The meek, subdued and slightly anxious way the bluerider spoke was impossibly pathetic, and he withdrew in on himself with huge green eyes finally staring up at Rhaedalyn. His expression blanched visibly when Aveleth stuttered out his input. H-he jum- but I- Z'ia- him a-a catch. the blue's voice was incredibly soft, but reached out to both the girls, stuttering and unfocused in his fear.

Z'ia flushed crimson, but his attention turned to Aveleth as he petted the young dragon's face with gentle croons and soft love, kissing him on the nose as soothing fingers danced over Aveleth's eye ridges. His voice was still a soft, reassuring croon when he spoke to Rhaedalyn, but his attention was fully on his lifemate. "I jumped," he purred softly, soothing Aveleth still. "It's why we came out here. Hmm, see?" Hs focus had clearly changed to Aveleth. "It's okay, Kiddo. We're okay. Don't worry, my sweet. It's okay." Aveleth's increasing concern that Rhaedalyn would tell the world what they had been doing was quickly soothed away by Z'ia. Rhaedalyn was a foolish girl with too many stories in her mind. Who would believe her? Especially when the stars of her story, Z'ia - so sweet and cute - and Aveleth - so adorably timid - were sky diving? No one would buy that!

Z'ia's green eyes returned to Rhaedalyn and Aradissicath, clear and bright, but still filled with worry, as he hugged Aveleth's nose, the young blue still trembling. Releasing him gently, Z'ia hesitated visibly for several moments before stepping forward, one hand resting lightly on Aveleth's cheek as the blue kept pace with him. "I'm sorry we frightened you," Z'ia said softly, looking honestly upset and sincere in his apology. The fact that he wanted to roll his eyes at the teary looking girl was carefully hidden, especially from Aveleth. Bloody women, and their crying at the drop of a hat! (Or free falling blueriders!)

Trembling from head to toe and looking as if he sincerely expected Aradissicath to knock him over and pin him down by the throat for allowing his rider to become so endangered, and for frightening her and her own bonded Aveleth slithered forward submissively. A whispery, terrified mew of apology wrangled free from his throat, terrified eyes never leaving Aradissicath's face as he timidly extended his nose in apology. He hadn't meant to frighten anyone! He just wanted to make his rider happy! Free falling was one of the only things that brought Z'ia true enjoyment that didn't bring someone else pain.

And then they'd gone and hurt the gold pair in their doing of their most innocent activity! He couldn't do anything right! Z'ia trembled under the flood of Aveleth's guilt, but resisted for the moment smothering the blue in reassurance.